Dispensing structure with dispensing valve and barrier penetrator

Abstract

A dispensing structure is provided for a container that has an opening to the container interior. A membrane initially occludes the container opening. A cover extends over the container opening and over the membrane. The cover has a peripheral frame and a panel that is connected to the frame. The panel has a dome-like, outwardly convex configuration defining a dispensing aperture and is normally biased outwardly. The panel can be moved to an inverted, inwardly concave configuration. A dispensing valve is disposed in the cover across the dispensing aperture. A penetrator extends from the panel inwardly of the dispensing valve for penetrating the membrane when the panel is in the inwardly concave configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dispensing structure for a container that has an opening to the container interior, said dispensing structure comprising: a membrane for occluding said container opening; and   a cover for extending around said container opening over said membrane, said cover including (a) a peripheral frame,   (b) a panel that (i) defines a dispensing aperture, (ii) is connected with said frame, (iii) is normally biased to an outwardly convex configuration as viewed from outside said cover, and (iv) accommodates movement of said panel to a self-maintained, inverted, inwardly concave configuration,   (c) a dispensing valve in said cover across said dispensing aperture, and   (d) a penetrator extending from said panel inwardly of said dispensing valve for penetrating said membrane when said panel is in said inwardly concave configuration.     
     
     
       2. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing structure membrane is initially sealed to said container end over said opening to occlude said opening. 
     
     
       3. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing structure cover is formed separately from said container; and   said dispensing structure membrane is a separate article initially sealed to said cover below said penetrator.   
     
     
       4. The dispensing structure in accordance with the claim 1 in which said dispensing structure cover is a unitary part of said container; and   said dispensing structure cover extends from said container as a unitary part of an end of said container.   
     
     
       5. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing structure cover includes a skirt with an interior thread for threadingly engaging an exterior thread on said container. 
     
     
       6. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing structure further includes a lid for accommodating movement between (1) a closed position over said cover dispensing orifice, and (2) an open position away from said lid closed position. 
     
     
       7. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 6 in which said dispensing structure includes a hinge connecting said lid with said cover frame. 
     
     
       8. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 6 in which said lid is capable of supporting said dispensing structure upside down on a support surface. 
     
     
       9. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said penetrator includes an inner, annular wall around said dispensing aperture and includes an edge defined along a bottom portion of said inner, annular wall at an oblique angle to said membrane. 
     
     
       10. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said penetrator includes a plurality of struts arranged in a conical array with one end of each said strut joining said cover adjacent the periphery of said dispensing aperture and with the other end of each said strut merging with the other struts to define a piercing member. 
     
     
       11. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing structure cover frame, flexible panel, and penetrator are molded as a unitary structure from a first material; and   said dispensing valve is molded from a second material and includes (1) a peripheral portion molded against, and bonded to, said cover, and (2) a central portion extending from said peripheral portion across said dispensing aperture.   
     
     
       12. The system in accordance with claim 11 in which said valve peripheral portion is attached to said cover with a weld defined by the interface solidification of melted portions of said first and second materials. 
     
     
       13. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 12 in which said first material is polypropylene and said second material is a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       14. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing valve is molded from a synthetic polymer as a separate element; and   said dispensing structure cover includes a retainer mounted to clamp said valve in said cover.   
     
     
       15. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said dispensing valve is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer; and   said dispensing valve has a central portion with a dispensing aperture defined by two intersecting slits which open to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure on one side of said valve and which close to shut off flow therethrough upon removal of the increased pressure.   
     
     
       16. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said cover includes an annular seat which is defined around said dispensing aperture and which receives said valve. 
     
     
       17. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said panel is flexible and is generally dome-shaped when said panel is normally biased in said outwardly convex configuration. 
     
     
       18. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said cover includes an a hinge joining the periphery of said panel with said peripheral frame. 
     
     
       19. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 18 in which said hinge is a generally annular, reduced thickness, film hinge joining the periphery of said dome-shaped panel to said peripheral frame. 
     
     
       20. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said panel is defined between two, spaced-apart, generally concentric film hinges. 
     
     
       21. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said panel is generally dome-shaped; and   said dispensing aperture is located at the top of said dome shape.   
     
     
       22. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said panel is flexible and has a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
       23. A dispensing structure for a container that has an opening to the container interior, said dispensing structure comprising: a membrane sealed to said container for occluding said container opening;   a cover for extending around said container opening over said membrane, said cover including (a) a peripheral frame mounted to said container,   (b) a flexible panel that (i) is connected with said frame, (ii) is normally biased to an outwardly convex configuration as viewed from outside said cover, (iii) defines a dispensing aperture at the top of said convex configuration, (iv) defines an annular seat around said dispensing aperture, and (v) accommodates flexure of said flexible panel to a self-maintained, inverted, inwardly concave configuration,   (c) a dispensing valve disposed on said seat in said cover across said dispensing aperture, and   (d) a penetrator extending from said flexible panel inwardly of said dispensing valve for penetrating said membrane when said flexible panel is in said inwardly concave configuration; and     a lid for accommodating movement between (1) a closed position over said cover dispensing orifice, and (2) an open position away from said lid closed position.   
     
     
       24. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 23 in which said dispensing structure includes a hinge connecting said lid with said cover frame. 
     
     
       25. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 23 in which said lid is capable of supporting said dispensing structure upside down on a support surface. 
     
     
       26. The dispensing structure in accordance with the claim 23 in which said dispensing structure cover is removably attached to said container. 
     
     
       27. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 26 in which said dispensing structure cover includes a skirt with an interior thread for threadingly engaging an exterior thread on said container. 
     
     
       28. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 23 in which said penetrator includes an inner, annular wall around said dispensing aperture and includes an edge defined along a bottom portion of said inner, annular wall at an oblique angle to said membrane. 
     
     
       29. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 23 in which said penetrator includes a plurality of struts arranged in a conical array with one end of each said strut joining said cover adjacent the periphery of said dispensing aperture and with the other end of each said strut merging with the other struts to define a piercing member. 
     
     
       30. A dispensing structure for a container that has an opening to the container interior, which opening is initially sealed closed with a membrane, said dispensing structure comprising: a cover for extending around said container opening over said membrane, said cover including (a) a peripheral frame,   (b) a panel that (i) defines a dispensing aperture, (ii) is connected with said frame, (iii) is normally biased to an outwardly convex configuration as viewed from outside said cover, and (iv) accommodates movement of said panel to a self-maintained, inverted, inwardly concave configuration,   (c) a dispensing valve in said cover across said dispensing aperture, and   (d) a penetrator extending from said flexible panel inwardly of said dispensing valve for penetrating said membrane when said panel is in said inwardly concave configuration.     
     
     
       31. The dispensing structure in accordance with the claim 30 in which said dispensing structure cover includes a peripheral skirt that extends downwardly past the periphery of said membrane when said cover is disposed on said container. 
     
     
       32. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said dispensing structure is separate from said container and membrane; and   said cover includes a skirt with an interior thread for threadingly engaging an exterior thread on said container.   
     
     
       33. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said dispensing structure further includes a lid for accommodating movement between (1) a closed position over said cover dispensing orifice, and (2) an open position away from said lid closed position. 
     
     
       34. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 33 in which said dispensing structure includes a hinge connecting said lid with said cover frame. 
     
     
       35. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said penetrator includes an inner, annular wall around said dispensing aperture and includes an edge defined along a bottom portion of said inner, annular wall at an oblique angle to said membrane. 
     
     
       36. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said penetrator includes a plurality of struts arranged in a conical array with one end of each said strut joining said cover adjacent the periphery of said dispensing aperture and with the other end of each said strut merging with the other struts to define a piercing member. 
     
     
       37. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said dispensing structure cover frame, panel, and penetrator are molded as a unitary structure from a first material; and   said dispensing valve is molded from a second material and includes (1) a peripheral portion molded against, and bonded to, said cover, and (2) a central portion extending from said peripheral portion across said dispensing aperture.   
     
     
       38. The system in accordance with claim 37 in which said valve peripheral portion is attached to said cover with a weld defined by the interface solidification of melted portions of said first and second materials. 
     
     
       39. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 38 in which said first material is polypropylene and said second material is a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       40. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said dispensing valve is molded from a synthetic polymer as a separate element; and   said dispensing structure cover includes a retainer mounted to clamp said valve in said cover.   
     
     
       41. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said cover includes an annular seat which is defined around said dispensing aperture and which receives said valve. 
     
     
       42. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said panel is flexible and is generally dome-shaped when said panel is normally biased in said outwardly convex configuration. 
     
     
       43. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said cover includes an a hinge joining the periphery of said panel with said peripheral frame. 
     
     
       44. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 43 in which said hinge is a generally annular, reduced thickness, film hinge joining the periphery of said dome-shaped panel to said peripheral frame. 
     
     
       45. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said panel is defined between two, spaced-apart, generally concentric film hinges. 
     
     
       46. The dispensing structure in accordance with claim 30 in which said panel is flexible and has a non-uniform thickness.